Are your emotions running you around?

Yeah, for emotions. What! They are trying to tell us something we are not paying attention to.

I found if I practice relaxed left nostril breathing, my mind calms down so I can deeply listen to my inner voice. Again, this is a reminder that I know within myself; I just need to listen.

Practice the pranayama below, so you are comfortable with the process. After some practice, you can regulate LEFT nostril breathing without physically closing your right nostril. Just focus your breath to move in and out your left nostril. No one will know that you are cooling down.

Awe, it is now easier to listen deeply to yourself and others.

NOTE: Limit your use of processed sugar if you want to keep your nervous system strong to handle stress.

Our body is a finely tuned organism that functions using positive and negative electrical currents. Our nostrils have two main subtle nadis or energy channels, called ida (in the left) and pingala (in the right). This pranayama, or breath exercise, activates ida in the LEFT nostril.

POSTURE: Sit in Easy Pose (on the ground with crossed legs and a straight spine). You can also sit on a solid chair with your back straight, feet flat on the floor, and both hips at the same level.

BREATH: Close your right nostril with your right thumb, and the other fingers of your right hand are stretched straight up as an antenna. Place your left hand in Gyan Mudra (illustration) on your left knee.

Breathe long and deep only through your LEFT nostril at a comfortable rhythm. Maintain an equal length for both the inhale and exhale. Pause for a slight moment before each inhale and before each exhale segment. Feel the coolness of the inhalation and the warmth of the exhalation.

EYES: Close your eyes and concentrate on your Third Eye, a point between your eyebrows.

TIME: Start practicing for 1 minute. Increase your practice to 3 – 5 minutes.

IMPORTANT: Left nostril breathing can lower your blood pressure if you practice for an extended time. If you have low blood pressure, we suggest you check with your healthcare professional before practicing.

WHEN TO PRACTICE: When you need to calm down and your mind is racing. Try when you can’t sleep.